Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Virgin Airlines FaceBook Connect for Airlines

Image representing Richard Branson as depicted...Image via CrunchBase

MIAMI--Virgin used Alex Hunter's presentation at the Future of Web Apps to announce its new Virgin.com website, due to enter closed beta in the next six weeks. The new site will include a lot of social features that allow users to upload and interact with content published to various sections of the site. Sample sections include entrepreneurship and entertainment.

In addition to the new social features, Virgin is implementing an incentive system on the site to encourage users to upload and interact. Points earned through this system will go not only towards a user's rank on the site, but can also be put towards physical goods since, as Hunter said, "Everyone likes free shit."

Virgin also announced that they have reached agreements with a few personalities to produce content for the site. Those announced include WineLibrary's Gary Vaynerchuk (who is speaking at FOWA later today), Virgin's own Richard Branson, and FOWA organizer, Ryan Carson.

Alex Hunter of Virgin, on stage at FOWA

(Credit: seanosh)

Another interesting tidbit that was revealed towards the end of Hunter's presentation is that Virgin is working on a Facebook Connect implementation for their planes. So, in theory, your friends on Facebook could see that you are sitting in seat 5D, watching Diggnation, and drinking a Coke. There are, of course, a lot of interesting possibilities with this. The system could potentially show passengers if any of their friends are also on board so that they could send them a drink or go say hi.

Virgin has, historically, been on the cutting edge of adopting technology and it's great to see that they are taking some steps forward with social media as well.

This article was first published by Harrison Hoffmanin CNET News . Harrison Hoffman is a tech enthusiast and co-founder of LiveSide.net, a blog about Windows Live. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.

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Air Canada Inflight Wellness Entertainment

Canada Wellness Hubs reports that Air Canada has introduced an Inflight Wellness Entertainment program based on My Yoga Online prepared Online Wellness Podcasts. the Podcasts are inspired by oriental yoga wisdom and traditions. It is found to be highly effective in a travel environment where people are confined to a small space for extended periods of time. Passengers can enjoy a better travel experience while learning tools that can be used both on and off the plane.

“The comfort of Air Canada's passengers is of paramount importance,” said Katrin Kopvillem, Managing Director and Publisher, Spafax Canada Inc. “By offering the travel-focused practices of My Yoga Online on the In-Flight Entertainment System, Air Canada is able to provide a relaxing programming block that complements the comprehensive selection of movies and television shows available to passengers to enjoy.”

“We are very pleased to offer our travel-specific practices to Air Canada passengers,” Director of Marketing for My Yoga Online, Michelle Trantina stated.

“One of our goals at MYO is to expand the knowledge and experience of Yoga and Health & Wellness throughout the world. In an airplane environment where people may be prone to anxiety and physical stiffness or tension, these types of practices provide the opportunity to create a much more positive flying experience; reducing stress and stiff muscles, clearing the mind, improving physical and mental well-being “
Some in-flight program titles include:

***Aerosleep Meditation***
Through hypnosis and meditation, the listener is transported into a state of deep relaxation conducive to sleep to reduce the effects of time zone variance (Jet Lag).

***Seated Stretch and Restore Flow***
A gentle stretch and relaxation program designed to improve circulation, enliven the body, and awaken the mind. This practice aids in preventing travel related ailments such as Deep Vein Trombosis.

***Freedom From Flight Anxiety***
A three part total freedom from stress program:
1. Body: relax and unwind
2. Breath: develop a strong nervous system
3. Mind: find total freedom from anxiety.

***The Secrets of Energy Management***
Exploring how and why energy travels and becomes blocked in the human body / mind. Learn techniques to encourage better energy flow and state of mind while traveling in a plane.

These practices are a few of a large library of Yoga and Meditation video practices available at MyYogaOnline.com where they can be accessed via streaming, or downloaded to a DVD or MP3 player, for use anytime, anywhere.
The chair used to simulate in-flight sitting positions was provided by Vancouver’s Inform Interiors.

My Yoga Online is currently in production on a new series of videos to begin airing next month on Air Canada’s Health and Wellness channel.

About My Yoga Online
MyYogaOnline.com has been sharing their knowledge of yoga and health and wellness since its inception in 2005. My Yoga Online provides top quality convenient, flexible and affordable Yoga, Pilates and Meditation video and audio programs. They offer a wide variety of video and audio practices in meditation, yoga, Pilates, workplace wellness, and holistic nutrition, via streaming on the Internet and for download to DVD or mp3 player. My Yoga Online is proud to be a part of developing health and wellness awareness around the world, and is currently expanding its reach beyond the Internet to corporate wellness programs, airlines, and cable networks.

Spafax Canada Inc is the exclusive provider of in-flight entertainment for Air Canada, and the publisher of EnRoute, Air Canada’s award-winning in-flight magazine.

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